INDOT took the unusual step of opening an asphalt plant in Noblesville last week to fix potholes that were damaging and disabling numerous vehicles in both the northbound and southbound lanes.

Contractors have been working day and night, according to INDOT spokesperson Mallory Duncan.

State police have ended their rolling roadblocks that had forced traffic to comply with 45 mph speed limits while workers repaired hazardous pavement, according to ISP Sgt. John Bowling, but the lower speed limit remains in effect.

Duncan said crews on Monday were finishing "a more permanent fix" in the northbound lanes of the highway between mile markers 223 (near the Pendleton exit) and 228 (two miles northeast of Scatterfield Road in Anderson).

The opening of the asphalt plant has allowed INDOT contractors to remove damaged pavement with milling machinery and lay down new, hot-asphalt pavement — rather than throwing cold-mix asphalt into holes.

"They're doing the last two miles (northbound) of that today," Duncan said Monday.

The milling and paving crews will then head south from the 234 mile marker near Daleville to the Pendleton exit (Ind. 38) this week, proceeding as weather permits.

Contractors worked on the northbound lanes of the highway over the weekend.

Asphalt plants normally remain closed during the cold winter months.

A pothole-filling maintenance crew continues to patrol the highway 24/7.

INDOT contractors are working day and night to fill, mill and repave hazardous potholes on Interstate 69 between Daleville and Pendleton.(Photo: Indiana Department of Transportation)

Major rehabilitation of the road is scheduled to start in late March or early April, Duncan said.